Fall Recommendations from Southside ReLeaf

by the Southside ReLeaf team & our partners

Fall in Richmond brings cooler days, changing leaves, community festivals, and plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the season. Every month in The Leaflet, we share a few recommendations from the Southside ReLeaf team — things we’re reading, exploring, enjoying, or returning to for comfort and inspiration. This fall, we’re gathering our favorites again, along with a few recommendations from our partners and guest contributors.

Whether you’re looking for a new place to explore, a seasonal tradition, a good book, or a little inspiration, we hope you find something to add to your fall list.

Lisa’s Recommendations

Richmond Tree Week

Richmond Tree Week, November 1–8, is a great opportunity to learn more about the role of trees in healthy communities and get involved in caring for Richmond’s canopy through events across the city. Southside ReLeaf and many of our partners are hosting events, and we’d love to see you there!

Native Fruit & Nut Festival at Chimborazo Food Forest

The Fruit and Nut Festival allows attendees to learn about preparations and enjoy tastings of native fruits and nuts. It is a beautiful, grounded opening to the fall season. Follow the Chimborazo Native Food Project on Instagram for information about the 2026 festival.

43rd Street Festival of the Arts

43rd St. Festival of the Arts (September 12) is my favorite local arts festival! It’s free to attend, but donations support Caritas. At the festival, you’ll find the studio's open-to-all chalk area and so many beautiful pieces by our talented local fine artists, making it the perfect event for an annual art purchase. Good Foods Grocery has historically been on-site as a food vendor. It’s a perfect event to enjoy the end of summer.

Kami’s Recommendations

Maymont

Maymont is a great place to enjoy the zoo, farm, and gardens this fall. And don’t miss Garden Glow for a festive evening experience.

Movies at the Byrd Theatre

Catch a movie at the Byrd Theatre this fall, especially one of the iconic Halloween reruns.

Fall Leaf Peeping Walks

Take a walk around Richmond to enjoy the changing leaves, including through Hollywood Cemetery.

Brandi’s Recommendations

*Brandi’s nephew picking a pumpkin at Hanover Vegetable Farm.*

Pumpkin Picking at Hanover Vegetable Farm

Pumpkin picking at Hanover Vegetable Farm begins September 28. Hay rides, food trucks, lots of fun activities for kids, wineries, and more!

The State Fair of Virginia

The State Fair of Virginia runs September 25–October 4, 2026. I can remember driving up from the Hampton Roads area to the State Fair every year as a child! So nostalgic!

Garden Glow at Maymont

Garden Glow at Maymont is a great way to enjoy the gardens in a whole new light this fall.

Syd’s Recommendations

Fall Walks Along the James

Fall is a favorite time to get out and walk. Pony Pasture and Belle Isle are nice places to see both fall colors and the James River.

First Fridays

First Fridays are fun to check out this time of year, when it’s a bit cooler. You can walk Broad St. and see a variety of local art.

South of the James Farmers Market

South of the James Farmers Market is a great way to connect with local farmers and makers. Shopping local produce is a fall highlight!

Sheri’s Recommendations

*Toni, Sheri, David, and Andy at Cox Farms in 2025.*

Cox Farms Fall Festival

Fall is the perfect time to celebrate Virginia’s vibrant agricultural economy. Across the state, food and drink festivals showcase everything from apple orchards and pumpkin patches to corn mazes, wineries, and oysters. One of my favorites is Cox Farms Fall Festival, which runs from September 19 to November 8. I had LOVED going down all the giant slides, getting lost in the corn maze, and eating the apple cider donuts!

Donate Your Acorns

I have a lot of oak trees on my property, which produce plenty of acorns every fall. This year, I’m making a greater effort to donate them to the Virginia Department of Forestry’s Annual Acorn and Nut Collection, so they can “grow into tree seedlings that will become the forests of tomorrow.” Consider joining the effort by collecting and donating acorns and nuts that VDOF can grow into healthy trees.

Drilled

I’m excited to get into Drilled, a true crime podcast about climate change. There are 16 seasons for me to delve into.

Sarah’s Recommendations

Glue Craft Studio

Richmond is a crafty town, and there’s a new local spot to get your craft fix. Catch me on the weekend hanging out at Glue Craft Studio in Church Hill, an inclusive space focused on reuse. They are all about helping kids and adults alike have new artistic experiences and explore creative expression. Don’t miss the grand opening on September 19! In celebration of artoverVA with CultureWorks, Glue Craft Studio will offer one pay-what-you-can class each week in October.

Excluded: How Snob Zoning, NIMBYism, and Class Bias Build the Walls We Don’t See by Richard Kahlenberg

Excluded made for fascinating lunch breaks as I learned more about the history of exclusionary zoning (including Richmond’s prominent role), how other cities and states have successfully passed more inclusive zoning, and what the conversation for inclusive zoning looks like at the federal level. A must-read in the era of Code Refresh.

Chesterfield Berry Farm

Visiting the Chesterfield Berry Farm for hayrides, apple cider donuts, and picking your own pumpkins, gourds, and sunflowers is one of my favorite things to do in the fall. Don’t forget to “get lost” in the corn maze and say hi to the goats and chickens.

Partner Recommendations

We’re also excited to include a few recommendations from Southside ReLeaf partners and guest contributors.

Daniel Klein’s Recommendations

Daniel Klein is the Sustainability Coordinator at Richmond’s Office of Sustainability and authored the blog, Cooling Richmond Together: A Guide to Cooler Neighborhoods.

Cover of Trees Stand Tall showing two young Black children, one girl and one boy, playing beneath a large tree. — *Cover of Trees Stand Tall.*

Trees Stand Tall by Melina Mangal

I recommend the children's book Trees Stand Tall by Melina Mangal and illustrated by Stella Lim. It's a heartfelt book that will resonate with children and caregivers, particularly in urban neighborhoods with limited access to trees.

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson on Climate Futures

I also recommend watching this conversation with Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, author of What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures. Her book is both provocative and joyous, presenting an inspiring landscape of possible climate futures.

Richmond Tree Week

Lastly, I encourage everyone to visit the Reforest Richmond website on Friday, October 2nd, when the schedule for Richmond Tree Week 2026 will go live. It's a great way to find local volunteer opportunities, such as tree plantings, giveaways, invasive species removals, walking tours, bike rides, and more.

David Valentine’s Recommendations

David Valentine is the Environmental & Sustainability Specialist at Mondelez International, which was our featured partner in the June 2026 edition of The Leaflet.

*The Art Factory and Party Place is located at 4810 Market Square Lane in Midlothian.*

Indoor Fun with the Fam at Art Factory

The Art Factory is a great space for some fun indoor art activities where you can bring the kiddos, grab a coffee, hang out, and create. We've done several birthday parties there for young kids, who loved learning how to make tie-dye T-shirts, slime, and pictures...you name it. There are also separate rooms for dance parties and an indoor playground. The staff is great too!

Volleyball with Bonanza Volley and Richmond Volleyball Club

Connect fun, fitness, and friends with volleyball (team, league, practice, or event). Richmond has a great volleyball community with year-round events for all ages and skill levels (beginner, intramural, college, and even a pro team, River City Flow), and for all types (grass, beach, and indoor). It's a great way to stay active, stay healthy, and connect with folks.

Nature Fun with the Fam at Pocahontas State Park

This summer, we started exploring Pocahontas, the largest state park in Virginia (7,900 acres) and home to the best mountain biking in the state. We love the hiking trails (90+ miles), and our young kids' favorite is the Aquatic Rec Center. And once the kids are older, we look forward to mountain biking, trail running, camping, and horseback riding through it.

Virginia Interfaith Power & Light’s Recommendations

Virginia Interfaith Power & Light was our featured partner in the January 2026 edition of The Leaflet and is also a partner in the Cool the City coalition.

In These Silent Days by Brandi Carlile

Brandi Carlile's music can be enjoyed year-round, but I particularly appreciate her folksy, Americana, classic rock vibes in the fall season. In These Silent Days is one of my favorite albums of hers, blending together themes of nature with "You and Me On The Rock", theology and justice with "Sinners, Saints and Fools", and resilience with "Broken Horses." Whether I'm walking around a park, baking festive fall treats, or driving with the windows down to feel the crisp fall air, Carlile's music is always a nice addition. ~ Connor Eppley, Communications Manager

No-Waste Apple Carrot Harvest Muffins

One of my favorite fall recommendations is a batch of No-Waste Apple Carrot Harvest Muffins. They’re warm, lightly sweet, and full of fall flavors like apple, cinnamon, ginger, and maple. Even better, the recipe can use leftover apple and carrot pulp from juicing — a simple reminder that caring for creation can happen in our kitchens by finding delicious ways to use what we already have. ~ Laticia Lee, Faith Outreach Organizer

Annika Schunn’s Recommendations

Annika Schunn is the Policy Advocate at Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia and author of the blog, Part II: The Geography of Belonging: Will Code Refresh Cause Displacement?

*Small Friend Records & Books is located at 1 N Lombardy St in Richmond.*

Browse for a new read at Small Friend Records & Books!

True to its name, this tiny bookstore is tucked away in the corner of a basement at Main and Lombardy. Friendly staff and a unique selection of indie books make it my favorite place to discover a book or author I’ve never heard of before. They buy used books, too!

Take a class at Richmond Toolbank!

Whether you own a home or just want to become handier, the Richmond Toolbank offers seasonal courses in essential skills, including drywall repair, basic electrical and plumbing, and DIY projects. Through Toolbox Workshops, I’ve learned how to change light fixtures, swap outlets, tile a backsplash, and install a brick walkway. All their courses are Pay-What-You-Can and open to all!

Go on a group bike ride!

As fall arrives and the weather cools, there’s no better way to get outside than to join a group bike ride — and there are so many to choose from! You can join the masses of the Broad Street Bullies (@broadstreetbullies804, 7 p.m. Thursdays at Carytown Kroger) or something more low-key like Bike Monday Bros (@bikemondaybros) or Recess Forever (@recess4eva, 6 p.m. Mondays at the Oregon Hill Overlook). There truly is a ride to match anyone’s vibe. My personal favorite is Critical Mass (@criticalmassrva), which meets at the Monroe Park Gazebo the last Friday of the month at 6:30 p.m.